The committee has scheduled a Monday hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her more than three decades ago.

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“I anticipate obviously they’ll handle this in a fair manner,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said of the judiciary panel Tuesday.

Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters that Ford can testify publicly or privately in an open or closed setting. But senators say no one has confirmed her appearance, despite her lawyer remarking in TV interviews Monday that she would be willing to share her story publicly.

And Democrats are complaining that Republicans’ treatment of Ford is already off to a bad start.

“Scheduling a hearing for Monday, a week from when Dr. Ford made her accusations public, is a shameful attempt to jam this through without giving anyone the time they need to investigate and put together the questions that need to be asked,” Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said.

“She first talked about this publicly on Sunday,” Murray added. “On Monday night, Republicans scheduled a hearing without talking to her or confirming with her or even giving her a heads up. Not only that, but right now Republican leaders are trying to prevent any outside witnesses beyond Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh from appearing, which would be unprecedented and wrong. And now some Republicans are already saying a vote will come a few days later.”

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But Republican leaders argue that it’s the Democrats who created this situation. They blame Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, for holding on to a letter from Ford that she’s had since July. The missive details the allegation that Kavanaugh “physically and sexually assaulted” her during high school but asks Feinstein to keep the matter confidential until the two are able to speak.

McConnell suggested Feinstein “decided to spring it right at the end” for political purposes. “It’s pretty obvious this is all about delaying the process, but the accuser certainly does deserve a right to be heard, and we’re looking forward to hearing what she has to say on Monday.”

The sexual harassment allegation has imperiled Kavanaugh’s confirmation, which was all but assured just a week ago. But McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans, who hold a narrow 51-49 majority, will be able to confirm Kavanaugh as planned after the hearing.